Archiver
Mentor
I'm very fond of my Zeiss Ikon, but there are times when I'd like a smaller rangefinder body. I wonder if it would be possible to create a rangefinder that is noticeably smaller than the Ikon but retain as much of the rangefinder baselength as possible. I like the size of the Leica CL, but it is no longer in production and doesn't have a very long baselength, and I like to shoot wide aperture lenses a lot.
Would you like a Zeiss Ikon CL?
Would you like a Zeiss Ikon CL?
back alley
IMAGES
smaller but a long base length...
is that possible?
is that possible?
Chinasaur
Well-known
Doesn't sound like it would happen in this decade..
ZeissFan
Mentor
I would like a body the size of the Contax IIa. That's a smaller body with a sufficiently wide base rangefinder. I've used it many times with a 135mm lens.
The current Zeiss Ikon is very close in dimensions to a Contax II.
The current Zeiss Ikon is very close in dimensions to a Contax II.
Roger Hicks
Mentor
A compact ZI is called a Bessa...
Yes, it's a small base length. But the ZI has not set the world alight, so why compete with themselves and fragment the market even further?
Technically, of course it's possible. Commercially? I strongly doubt it.
Cheers,
R.
Yes, it's a small base length. But the ZI has not set the world alight, so why compete with themselves and fragment the market even further?
Technically, of course it's possible. Commercially? I strongly doubt it.
Cheers,
R.
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thegman
Mentor
Is a Bessa that much smaller, if at all? Didn't seem that way when I picked it up.
Anyway, the ZI size is fine for me, I have no need for a smaller range finder really. I'd probably prefer to see Zeiss/Cosina build a quality film SLR to go with the Zeiss lenses. Wishful thinking I know.
Anyway, the ZI size is fine for me, I have no need for a smaller range finder really. I'd probably prefer to see Zeiss/Cosina build a quality film SLR to go with the Zeiss lenses. Wishful thinking I know.
randomm
Well-known
Cle, Cle, Cle ... 
raid
Dad Photographer
Use a Zeiss lens on a Leica CL ... and your problems will be over.
haempe
Well-known
I was allways thinking, the decision of Zeiss to build a direct competitor to the M in the same size and shape, was a mistake.
A "replica" of the CLE without their issues (lack of manual modus metering; lack of AE lock; failure prone shutter release) would have a larger market.
A "replica" of the CLE without their issues (lack of manual modus metering; lack of AE lock; failure prone shutter release) would have a larger market.
Steve M.
Mentor
Well, I used to have a Bessa R2A and thought it was a great camera. Isn't it smaller than your Ikon? If you want a CL I wouldn't worry about them not being in production. There are plenty still around, and a good sample of a CL is a fine little camera.